Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg may return in Game 4

Henrik Zetterberg, out since back surgery two months ago, is a game-time decision for Game 4 against Boston.

By Dan CagenDaily News staff

The Red Wings are in desperate need of generating more offense in their first-round series with the Bruins.

They may be getting one of their best scorers back Thursday.

Henrik Zetterberg, out since back surgery two months ago, is a game-time decision for Game 4 against Boston. Zetterberg took part in the team's morning skate at Joe Louis Arena, and coach Mike Babcock said an afternoon visit with a doctor would determine Zetterberg's availability for Game 4.

"I'm hopeful, but we'll know at game time, after warmups," Babcock told reporters.

Zetterberg skated with Pavel Datsyuk and Justin Abdelkader in the morning skate. The veteran center also practiced Wednesday. Zetterberg had 48 points in 45 games this season.

If Zetterberg plays, it's expected to be in limited minutes, perhaps no more than 12. If Zetterberg sits, Joakim Andersson would sit.

Daniel Alfredsson will miss his second straight game, but Babcock told the media he's hopeful the veteran will return for Saturday's Game 5.

The Red Wings will definitely make one lineup change Thursday. Veteran Todd Bertuzzi is in while Tomas Jurco will come out. Bertuzzi is expected to begin the game on a line with Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar.

Exchanging Jurco for Bertuzzi takes away some speed from Detroit, but that element of the Wings' game has been taken away through the first three games. The Bruins had allowed few odd-man rushes to the Red Wings, with speedster Gustav Nyquist generating few chances after scoring 14 of his 28 goals in the regular season after the Olympic break.

Detroit's lines will take a different look regardless. If Zetterberg plays, he's expected to be a winger on Datsyuk's line. Johan Franzen would drop down to the second line, forming a new unit with Darren Helm and Nyquist. Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar will be on the third line with Bertuzzi, with the fourth line staying intact.

The Red Wings are in desperate need of scoring from the second and third lines. The Datsyuk line will match up with the Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci lines, with the fourth line taking the other.